 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All,
I'm planning on heading off for a week of skiing lessons and have persuaded myself that the skiing is ultimately more important than the sleeping, hence looking at the UCPA accommodation and all inclusive packages with action-outdoors.co.uk.
I've whittled my preferences down to two of the resorts that I'd like to try but I was wondering if anyone has any experience of the two and if they might make recommendations either for or against either one. As the topic title suggests I'm looking at Les Arcs and La Plagne. Options are still open if the other resorts are more worthwhile..
Also, if you've used the company and hostels before, have you any other tips? ie ask for a quiet room, take a towel or padlock?
Thanks all!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I learnt at the UCPA in Argentiere and worked in La Plagne last season. Apparently the Argentiere one is one of the most run-down hostels they have but it was fine for me. Bit rough around the edges but if you're there for the skiing then it's not really a problem! The lessons and overall UCPA offering are really, really good - certainly far better food than you will find anywhere else at that kind of budget.
Definitely take a towel!
The one I'm thinking of in La Plagne is literally on top of the piste (piste goes under it) so a great location for skiing. I think there might be another one?
I skiied Les Arcs for one day while I was in La Plagne and I'd probably say it's a bit better than La Plagne tbh... Not really sure why but I'd much rather go on holiday there than La Plagne now. But I don't know where the UCPA is there, the UCPA in LP is a really good location, so if the LA one is not in such a great location then maybe LP is the way to go. I'm sure someone else will be able to confirm that.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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steven0123, bobmcstuff, UCPA Les Arcs is over in 1600. I know nothing about it though.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Les Arcs is a nicer resort. I've stayed at Arc's UCPA and it is easily the best out of the 3 UCPA's I've been at. It's large and was upgraded in 2006 I believe. The rooms are small but functional but the food was brilliant. I've eaten worse in some french restuarants. The crowd is mostly french but there are loads of foreigners around. They do various activities at night as there isn't anything else in the area. All in all a great week.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks guys, keep the details coming! I had read that the Les Arcs one is quite a way from the centre of 1600.. Gainz, does the local bus go past the UCPA at all or is it a hike with suitcases on changeover days?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wemt with Action Outdoors to Tignes for a week, just before Christmas.
All very well organised, but the coach journey is murder. Take some Nytol and knock yourself out for it.
UCPA is a great organisation, superb food, good instruction (can be large groups though, so don't expect a personal tuition experience). Very sociable - best way to meet people is just tag along with a group and go skiing with them. Staff are friendly and helpful, especially if you speak to them in French, or at least try. Fod is genuinely excellent - better than almost any catered chalet I have ever stayed in, apart from hyper-luxury ones.
Rooms are perfectly comfortable, with enough room to stow stuff and be comfy, but not much else. Take a towel and a padlock.
I had a great time, and would definitely go again - but this was Tignes, rather than La Plagne/Les Arcs. Action Outdoors were great organisers and completely honest/reliable.
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steven0123, UCPA is a bus stop on the 1600 - 2000 bus (at the hairpin, just before the barrier that they use to close the 2000 road...) check the timetable: but the road trip is considerably longer than the snow trip!
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cheers Arctic Roll, i've just dug out the piste map from the last trip and its actually detailed on there next to the aforementioned hairpin alongside the mont blanc run... am becoming more tempted by the Arc location now.. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Just had a thought, if I were to take my own skis, is there suitable secure storage?
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Though skiing wise the UCPA is in Arc 1600 it is a fair trek on foot so it is best to consider it a self contained community for skiing. The local navette stops directly outside so it is one train, one funicular and one Navette from the south of england. For skiing you leave the door and can ski straight down to the Arc1600 lifts. On the way back there is a signposted piste from the source/mount blanc run to UCPA. Late in the season this is sometimes closed. The skiing is the immediate vicinity is very good.
I also prefer the skiing in the Les Arcs part of paradiski
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Agree about general comments about the UCPA in Arc 1600. Good food. Good classes from beginner to off piste, although unlike other centres I've stayed in not all the instructors spoke English well. Second the skiing in Les Arcs being good, there are some good pistes/spots in 1600 aswell.
Good atmosphere and cheap drinks at the UCPA bar compared to bars in the resort.
steven0123, Not the greatest security for your skis, but there is a locker room. They have hire, but if you have your own kit I'd take it.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Forgot to add there is a good 'spectacle' at the end of the week with mulled wine, doughnuts and the instructors pulling flips and rotations on a big kicker over the frozen swimming pool.
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I've only stayed in La Plagne - which, as described earlier is right 'over' the nursery slope so couldn't be easier for access for the snow (well, maybe steps up to the gondola station - you have to walk up the slope all of about about 50m). There is a great terrace for sunny days and it is close to a few ok bars (as far as Plagne centre goes, you can't ask for much more than that!). The ski room is on a lock code so your fellow UCPAers will have access too, but I have always taken my own gear and not had any issues - if you are worried, take a ski lock. Accommodation is quite spacious for UCPA - typically 4 to a room with its own bathroom (think typical 1960s studio apartment size (but with the kitchen knocked out) and you won't be too far off the mark - some of the bathroom are still original 1960s chic!). Most guides spoke really good english when I was there and I know that UCPA have invested in extra language tuition this year (I met some of the them in Val D'Isere after the PSB)
Don't know much about the Les Arcs centre although from how it is described it seems to be pretty nice and handy for the slopes.
My advice would be to think about what resort you want for skiing / go for the tuition/guiding package you want (full/part time or autonomy) and go with that - or give Action-Outdoors a call for some advice on what you want. If you book with them, you get a £10 snowheads discount with the code SP2010.
Enjoy!
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You know it makes sense.
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steven0123, the UCPA in Les Arcs and La Plagne are both very good. They cater for all levels and you will learn a lot. Both places are ok to stay and you should have a good time in either. The Instructors go where they think the snow is best so if in Les Arcs you might sometimes go to La Plagne etc, it all depemds the level you are. Most, but not all speak English. If you ask they always try to put you with an English speaking Instructor. Please do post what you think of your week as I am always being asked about the UCPA and have not been on a course with them since I was young. Hope you have a good time.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Thanks everyone for the tips and recommendations! Will keep you posted with further details and hopefully a nice report after! 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I went to Tignes UCPA in April and am definitely thinking about going to another UCPA center next season. I quite fancy an early season ski mid December.
Anyways, steven0123, how was your experience of Les Arcs?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Does anyone know if the ucpa la plagne ski pass covers the entire paradiski area for a full week? Thanks john
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
steven0123, Not the greatest security for your skis, but there is a locker room. They have hire, but if you have your own kit I'd take it.
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Unless you have very specialised skis that you simply cannot ski without I would not take my own skis to UCPA as the skis they supply are included in the price and are very good, the offpiste week that I did 3 years ago, we were handed brand new skis.
I skied paradiski 2 years ago, loved Les Arcs, better variety of skiing to 3V with some really nice unpisted itineries and food on the mountain was not silly prices.
I did 2 weeks in Val d'isere UCPA last season, very few English there but lots of Swedish that speak good English but not French so I was only English guy in the group but English was the common language used. Although the Swedes were very friendly and spoke good English I missed the subtle craic that you get with others that speak the same language.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Discount code update. Please now use SP2015 for your £10 discount. Remember to use is for all members of your group.
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